Why I’m Skipping Freelance Bureaucracy in Spain: Meet the EOR Model

When I moved to Spain to work remotely, I did what most of us do — I registered as an autónoma, hired a gestor, and got ready to battle Modelo 130, 303, 390, and whatever other numbers Hacienda felt like throwing my way.

At first it felt empowering — I’m my own boss! I do things the legal way! I send real invoices!

Fast forward a few quarters and I was knee-deep in late-night factura edits, monthly quotes to Social Security, and receipts for things I didn’t even remember buying.

That’s when I found out about the Employer of Record (EOR) model.

And honestly? I wish I’d heard about it sooner.

🧾 What Is an EOR (Employer of Record)?

An Employer of Record is a company that hires you on paper on behalf of the business you actually work for — usually based abroad.

For example, if your client is in the US or UK, but you live in Spain, the EOR becomes your legal employer. They take care of:

• Your contract
  
• Payroll
  
• Social security
  
• Taxes
  
• Labor law compliance in Spain
  

You still do the same remote work. But legally, you’re a salaried employee — and not a freelancer navigating Spanish bureaucracy alone.

🌍 Why More Remote Workers in Spain Are Switching to EORs

Here’s what finally convinced me (and what might speak to you too):

✅ No need to register as autónoma
✅ No IVA (VAT) reports every 3 months
✅ Access to Spanish healthcare and pension
✅ Paid sick leave and valid employment status
✅ No more gestor emails with “URGENTE” in the subject line

And yes — your time and sanity are worth something.

🛠 How It Works

Let’s say you work for a US company, but they don’t have a legal presence in Spain.

They hire an EOR (like Deel), who then signs an employment contract with you in Spain.

You do your work as usual, and the EOR handles everything on the admin side. The foreign company pays the EOR a fee, and you get a normal salary, with benefits and legal peace of mind.

You still work remotely — just with fewer headaches.

🚀 The One I Recommend: Deel

I’m testing different EOR platforms, but so far, Deel feels like the best fit for independent professionals like us. It’s super easy to use, legal in Spain, and works with thousands of remote workers around the world.

✔️ Fast onboarding
✔️ Compliant with Spanish law
✔️ Easy communication and 24/7 support
✔️ You get access to payslips, benefits, and contracts directly from your dashboard

(Affiliate link coming soon — yes, I’ll earn a tiny commission if you use it, but it won’t cost you extra. Pinky promise.)

Other Platforms You Might Hear About

If Deel doesn’t work for your company, here are a few others to look into:

• Remote.com – Excellent compliance reputation
  
• OysterHR – Budget-friendly global solution
  
• Multiplier – Great for multilingual contracts
  
• Remofirst – Ideal for startups and early-stage teams
  

💡 Most of them charge your employer around $400–$600/month.

🤔 Should You Use an EOR?

It might be a great option for you if:

• You work remotely for just one international company
  
• You want healthcare and social security in Spain
  
• You’re not in love with being autónoma
  
• Your employer is open to using Deel or similar
  

But it’s not ideal if:

• You have several clients and need to send multiple invoices
  
• You want full freelance flexibility
  
• You already have systems in place that work for you
  

Final Thoughts: Work Remotely, Legally, and Calmly

Spain is amazing for remote work — the lifestyle, the food, the sun. But freelancing here can be a full-time job on its own.

If you want to simplify your life, enjoy proper benefits, and avoid stress around every tax deadline, the EOR model is worth considering.

💡 I’ll be updating this post soon with more tools, gear, and personal insights — including standing desks, noise-canceling headphones, and my full remote work setup in Madrid. Stay tuned!